Corn is perhaps one of the most popular crops in the world: about 850 million tons of these yellow seeds are harvested annually. Today, a person consumes it entirely, in the form of cereals, flour, grows it for livestock feed. But do we know everything about corn? But these yellow ears are real gold, rich in vitamins and minerals.
What is corn?
Despite the fact that the cultivation of corn began 7 thousand years ago by the inhabitants of Latin America (Maya, Aztecs, Incas), it came to Europe only in the XNUMXth century and even later – to Asia and Africa. At the turn of the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, the inhabitants of Hungary and Romania learned about corn, who immediately dubbed this plant “yellow flasks”.
Corn is a herbaceous upright annual plant that grows up to 2-4 m.It is believed that it is the oldest cereal plant on the planet. .… Modern corn differs significantly from its wild ancestor both in color and in higher yields. It is interesting that today it is impossible to find wild corn in nature. Instead, biologists know many varieties of modern culture, and not all of them have the usual yellow color. Today breeders know white, red and even blue corn. Depending on the purpose, nine main groups of this culture are distinguished: siliceous, sugar, tooth-like, starchy, waxy and others. .… The ideal conditions for growing corn are in a subtropical climate, although it also grows well in temperate latitudes.
The nutritional value
Corn is an extremely rich source of nutrients. These golden grains supply vitamin C, folic acid, and niacin to the body. In addition, they contain vitamins A, D, E, K. The kernels of this cereal are 72% carbohydrates, 14% protein, and fats take another 14% of the composition. farmer-online.com… Corn also contains magnesium, calcium, selenium, zinc, potassium, iron, phosphorus, copper, iodine. And by the yellow color of the vegetable, you can determine that it is rich in carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein.
The table below shows the nutrient content per 100 g of raw product. farmer-online.com.
Caloric content 86 kcal Proteins 3,27 g Carbohydrates 16,767 g Fats 1,35 g Fiber 2 g Ash 0,62 g Water 76 g Vitamin A 9 μg Thiamine (B1) 0,16 mg Riboflavin (B2) 0,06 mg Pantothenic acid ( B5) 0,7 mg Pyridoxine (B6) 0,09 mg Folic acid (B9) 42 μg Vitamin E 0,07 mg Vitamin PP 1,8 mg Choline (B4) 23 mg Calcium 2 mg Sodium 15 mg Magnesium 37 mg Phosphorus 89 mg Potassium 270 mg Sulfur 33 mg Iron 0,52 mg Manganese 0,2 mg Zinc 0,46 mg Copper 54 μg Selenium 0,6 μg
Influence on the body
Recently, corn has become particularly popular due to the lack of gluten in it, one of the most powerful allergens.
In addition, this cereal is rich in vitamin E, on which the health of the skin depends, and the antioxidants present protect the eyes and reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration. At the same time, the lutein contained in corn grains is useful not only for people with poor eyesight, but also for pregnant women. Regular consumption of this vegetable has a beneficial effect on the development of the fetus. Selenium makes corn a potent anti-cancer food as well as a natural medicine for those with kidney dysfunctions. These yellow grains are good for the liver and also help prevent the buildup of excess cholesterol. The water in which the corn was cooked is recommended to be taken as a remedy against urinary incontinence and chronic cystitis.
Top useful properties
Improves digestion
Improves digestionJust one cup of corn kernels contains nearly a fifth of your daily fiber requirement. farmer-online.com… And this substance is important for the successful prevention of diseases of the digestive system, especially the intestines, as well as their treatment. Regular fiber intake protects against hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulosis. This component promotes faster elimination of waste products from the body. In addition, it stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, which is also important for the proper digestion of food.
Source of vitamins and minerals
Corn is rich in B vitamins such as thiamine and niacin. Thiamine is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Niacin deficiency can lead to pellagra (this disease is manifested by diarrhea, dementia, and signs associated with some dermatological problems). In addition, corn is a rich source of pantothenic acid, which is responsible for the proper metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women can cause serious fetal damage. Corn is able to provide most of the daily value of the nutrient, as well as vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that not only slows aging, but also improves resistance to various diseases. Vitamin A, found in corn, is important for maintaining healthy eyes and skin, stimulates the immune system and, as a powerful antioxidant, protects against free radicals.
At the same time, corn contains minerals valuable for the body, such as phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper. This vegetable will easily increase the reserves of selenium. Phosphorus, which is part of the chemical composition of these golden grains, is important for proper bone development and also contributes to the proper functioning of the kidneys. Magnesium is significant as a mineral, maintaining a normal heart rhythm and affecting bone density.
Anti-cancer agent
Corn is a rich source of antioxidants needed to fight off free radicals. The latter, in turn, according to scientists, cause cancer. Unlike other vegetables, corn does not lose its beneficial properties after being cooked. It may sound paradoxical, but, for example, boiled corn is even healthier and richer in nutrients than raw corn.
In addition, the vegetable contains phenolic compounds, in particular ferulic acid, which, as shown by scientific studies, has anti-tumor activity, prevents breast and colon cancer. ...
Heart protector
Corn oil prevents atherosclerosis and corrects the level of “bad” cholesterol .… The result of such activity is the protection of the cardiovascular system from many diseases. Including corn oil in your diet is the best way to protect your heart and provide your body with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, there is reason to believe that corn is a blood pressure regulating vegetable. It reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Natural cure for anemia
As a source of folate (B9), this cereal can prevent anemia. It contains iron, which is essential for the production of red blood cells. Deficiency of this element is one of the most common causes of the development of anemia.
Diabetic Assistant
Corn is good for people with type 2 diabetes because it contains phytosterols, which regulate the production and absorption of insulin and prevent hypo- and hyperglycemia. In combination, such an effect has a very beneficial effect on the general state of health of patients.
Some caveats
Ripe corn contains a lot of fatty acids. For this reason, it is undesirable for people prone to heart disease to abuse vegetables, or even more so corn oil. Recently, fructose, obtained from corn, has gained popularity, which is used as a raw material for sugar substitutes. Meanwhile, surrogates in the form of corn syrup have a very deplorable effect on health: they cause obesity and sharp jumps in glucose in the bloodstream.
Like most cereals, corn kernels contain phytic acid, which makes it difficult for the body to absorb minerals such as iron and zinc. .… This is usually not a problem, especially with a balanced menu with regular meat consumption. But in countries where corn is the main staple of the daily diet, phytic acid can be a serious problem. Soaking corn before eating will help slightly reduce the content of this substance in the vegetable.
And another disappointing fact. Corn is a vegetable that is most often grown from genetically modified seeds. And it is also important to know.
How to choose
This vegetable appears on the markets in the second half of the summer. Choosing corn, it is better to give preference to cobs wrapped in green leaves, with shiny and still fresh “hair”. The lighter the grains, the younger, which means the juicier and tastier the corn. The most delicious vegetable is with light yellow grains. It is important that there are no dark spots or mildew on the head of cabbage. ..
Spheres of use
Corn is an amazing vegetable. It is used as a raw material in many areas of human life, including the following:
- food industry;
- pharmacology;
- cosmetology;
- folk and traditional medicine;
- chemical industry (for the production of resins, oils, varnishes, paper, synthetic fabrics).
Corn in traditional medicine
In the folk medicine of different countries, corn takes pride of place. But for treatment, not whole heads of cabbage are most often used, but stigmas. They are believed to have diuretic, choleretic and hemostatic properties. [8]… In addition, corn “hair” infusions are used to accelerate blood clotting, dissolve kidney stones, and treat various liver diseases. External application of infusions helps to get rid of various skin diseases, rashes, bruises. Not only folk healers, but also certified therapists prescribe phytopreparations from corn to their patients for the treatment of cholecystitis, hepatitis, inflammation of the biliary tract, cystitis.
Universal recipe for infusion of stigmas
Universal recipe for infusion of stigmasTo prepare a medicinal corn infusion, you will need a glass of boiling water, which you need to pour about 10 g of stigmas. Cover and wrap the dishes with infusion. Insist for at least an hour. Take the finished medicine in 1 tbsp. l. before meals three times a day.
Infusion to treat liver
This product is prepared from corn stigmas and rose hips, taken in equal proportions. Pour boiling water over two tablespoons of the mixture (you will need about a glass) and, wrapping it up, leave for at least two hours. Take 1/3 cup three times a day after meals. You can improve the taste of the drink by adding a little honey.
Broth for the treatment of weak hair
Loose, thin, dull hair can be restored by rinsing with corn silk decoction. To enhance the effect, you can take in equal proportions raw corn and nettle.
Corn in cooking
Corn, beans, and peppers are a staple of Mexican cuisine, but this yellow vegetable is also found in many other nations. Soups, pancake fillings, pies are made from it.
The simplest recipe, adored not only by Mexicans, is grilled corn. To do this, the corn cobs are coated with oil, wrapped in foil and baked for several minutes. It’s easy to make a corn sauté with onions and green chili. There is an assumption that the ancient Incas prepared a salad from boiled corn kernels, tomatoes, green peppers, red beans and quinoa.
But whatever method is used for cooking corn, it is important to cook it without salt and not to overcook it, because after that the grains become too hard.
Corn is one of the most common grains in the world. It is a rich source of antioxidants, many vitamins and minerals, so moderate consumption of this vegetable is beneficial for your health.
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